News
MIÉ 03.06.2015
Real Madrid have a new coach. The 2014/15 Liga BBVA runners up have announced that Spaniard Rafa Benítez will take over for the next three seasons.
Benítez is returning home having come through the club’s system, albeit this will be the first time he has taken charge of Real Madrid’s first team. His previous experience at the club was as manager of Real Madrid Castilla before then manager Vicente del Bosque appointed him as assistant between 1993 and 1995.
During his presentation, Benítez expressed his thanks for the welcome given to him by los blancos, and admitted his difficulty in putting his feelings into words, particularly on the day of his return to his home club. "I promise hard work and dedication. I have a good team of staff and I hope that things go well so that we can win trophies. With my hard work, I want to repay the faith that you have shown in me," said an emotional Benítez before posing with the Real Madrid shirt.
Speaking to the national and international media in the press room, the new Madrid coach added: "It’s a special day, a very emotional one. I have been working for many years to achieve success and come back to this club. That was one of my objectives. Today is a day of emotion, gratitude and one to be enjoyed." He also described this new challenge as a "continuous source of motivation" because he will be working with a "top team and extremely strong club".
On his CV he boasts two promotions to Liga BBVA (With CD Extremadura and CD Tenerife), two Liga titles with Valencia CF (2001/02 and 2003/04), a UEFA Cup with Los Ché (2003/04), a Champions League (2004/05) and UEFA Super Cup (2005/06) with Liverpool, a Club World Cup (2010/11) with Inter Milan and a Europa League (2012/13) with Chelsea.
Benítez, having managed in Spanish, England and Italy, has taken charge of 520 games in total, racking up a win percentage of 52% with a balance of 260 wins, 135 draws and 127 losses.
© LALIGA - 2015